Abstract: Fault gouge is an important factor which influences fault movement.In this paper the relationship between mechanical properties of gouge and water content is studied by using the experimental data of gouge from five major faults in China.It is found that viscosity.Young's modulus,compressive strength and residual volumetric strain decrease with water content increasing.There is no clear relationship between bulk modulus,wave velocity shear strength and water content.Natural gouge is a mixtutre of clay,debris and water,in which water takes a more complicate role than does the water in the latter two.The importance of the experiment of this kind,therefore,is visible.

摘要： 断层泥是影响断层运动的重要地质因素。研究它的力学性质和影响其力学性质的各种因素具有重要的意义。本文利用最近完成的我国五大断裂断层泥基本力学性质的实验结果,分析了含水量对断层泥力学性质的影响。发现断层泥的粘滞系数、杨氏模量、抗压强度和残余体应变均随含水量的增加而明显地减小。断层泥的韧度随含水量的增大而增大。断层泥的体积模量、弹性波速和抗剪强度与含水量的关系不明显。天然断层泥是粘土、断层碎屑和水的混合物,水在其中的作用比水对岩屑或粘土本身的作用更复杂。强调了对天然断层泥进行实验研究的重要性。